Find out how popular the last name Taha is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Taha.

Taha, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Taha surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Taha in America

Taha is the 14749th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Taha surname appeared 2,014 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Taha.

We can also compare 2010 data for Taha to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Taha

The surname Taha has its origins rooted in the Arabic language and culture. It is derived from the Arabic word "taha," which means "to wander" or "to roam." This surname can be traced back to the regions of the Middle East, particularly the Arabian Peninsula, where nomadic lifestyles were prevalent in ancient times.

One of the earliest documented references to the surname Taha can be found in the historical records of the Abbasid Caliphate, which ruled a vast territory spanning from Persia to North Africa during the 8th to 13th centuries. These records mention individuals bearing the name Taha, indicating its existence during the golden age of Islamic civilization.

In the 12th century, a notable figure named Taha al-Basri, a renowned Islamic scholar and jurist, gained prominence for his contributions to the study of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad). Born in Basra, Iraq, in 1072, Taha al-Basri left a lasting impact on the intellectual and religious discourse of his time.

Another prominent individual with the surname Taha was Taha Hussein, an Egyptian writer, and literary critic who lived from 1889 to 1973. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in modern Arabic literature and a pioneer of the Arab Renaissance (Nahda) movement. His works, such as "The Days" and "The Stream of Days," explored themes of social and cultural reform in Egypt and the Arab world.

In the 20th century, Mahmoud Mohamed Taha, a Sudanese religious thinker and leader, gained recognition for his reformist ideas and interpretations of Islamic teachings. Born in 1909, Taha advocated for a renewed understanding of Islam, emphasizing its universal and progressive values. His works, such as "The Second Message of Islam," had a significant impact on Islamic thought and sparked important debates.

Another notable figure with the surname Taha was Ismail Serageldin, an Egyptian writer, and philosopher born in 1944. He served as Vice President of the World Bank and played a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation. Serageldin's works, including "Nurturing Development" and "The Crucible of Life," explored the intersection of development, culture, and ethics.

While the surname Taha has its roots in the Arabic language and culture, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and cultural exchange. The name continues to hold significance and carry a rich historical legacy, serving as a testament to the diverse cultural tapestry that shapes our global community.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Taha

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Taha.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Taha was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Taha has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Taha was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Taha, please contact us.

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